The condition of the US soybean crop has improved slightly, rising to 68% good to excellent, up from 67% a week earlier and ahead of last year's rating of 54% at the same time.
Illinois's soy crop rating jumped 3 points to 75% good to excellent. Iowa came in at a strong 74% good or excellent rating. Further east, Ohio held steady at a still respectable 63%.
Meanwhile, the development stages are progressing rapidly. The national soybean crop was 59% podding as of the end of the week, up from 44% the previous week and slightly ahead of the 56% average. The blooming stage reached 86%, surpassing the average by 2 points but trailing last year by 2 points.
Illinois's soybeans are podding at 77%, significantly ahead of the state average of 54%. However, in secondary states like North Dakota, the podding stage is lagging at 39%, well behind the average of 56%. This variability underscores the idea that, although the window for a problem with this year’s US soybean crop is closing, it is not fully shut yet. August weather remains important.
